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National Center for Hydrology and Meteorology

Mandate

Meteorological Service Division is mandated to study and provide public weather services, severe weather warnings, meteorological data management, aviation, agro-met and climate change information and services.

Functions 

a.    Prepare and provide weather and climate services.
b.    Research and development in the field of weather, climate and climate variability and climate change.
c.    Prepare and provide short, medium, extended range and seasonal forecasts.
d.    Numerical weather prediction(NWP) modelling and validation.
e.    Monitor extreme weather events and issue warning/bulletins/advisories.
f.    Climate data processing, analysis, archival and dissemination to end users.
g.    Climate modelling, downscaling and climate change projections.
h.    Develop and provide aviation meteorological forecast and information.
i.    Provide Agro-meteorological services.
j.    Provision of tailor made services related to weather and climate.
k.    Operation, monitoring and maintenance of Global Telecommunication System (GTS) and satellite system.
l.    Publish climate data and climate reports.
m.    Publish scientific papers on weather and climate related studies.
n.    Coordinate and organise national, regional and international weather and climate forums.
o.    Represent the Center and collaborate with relevant national, regional and international organizations related to weather and climate activities.
p.    Education, advocacy and awareness on weather and climate.

Structure

Meteorological Service Division is organsied into four Sections:
a.    Weather Forecasting Section (WFS)
b.    Climate Information Management Section (CIMS)
c.    Climiate Research & Analysis Services Section (CRAS)
d.    Aviation Meteorological Section (AMS)

Functions of Weather Forecasting Section (WFS)

a.    Prepare and provide weather forecasts (24x7) information.
b.    Monitoring extreme weather events (24x7).
c.    Prepare and issue extreme weather warnings/bulletins/advisories to general public and relevant stakeholders.
d.    Develop, validate and provide extended range forecasts.
e.    Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) modelling and validation.
f.    WRF verification and validation in coordination with RAS. 
g.    Operation of the Weather Forecasting and Command Room (WFCR) of the National Weather and Flood Warning Center (NWFWC) 24/7 in coordination with the Flood Monitoring and Command Room (FMCR) of HWRSD. 
h.    Monitoring and analysis of weather based on the observation, models and satellite products.
i.    Collect and archive records of hydro-meteorological events.
j.    Dissemination of forecast products to the users.

Functions of GTS & Satellite Unit

a.    Operation and maintenance of the Global Telecommunication System (GTS) and satellite system (24/7);
b.    Monitor, analysis and archival of the Himawaricast satellite images.
c.    Receiving regional/global observational data from the Regional Telecommunication Hubs (RTH);
d.    Distribution of local observational data to the Regional Telecommunication Hubs (RTH);
e.    Relaying hydrological and meteorological observation data from GTS to Flood Forecasting and Warning System.
f.    Monitor and relay regional weather warnings and information for Weather forecasting.
g.    Ensure proper communication with the GTS Regional Telecommunication Hubs (Indian Meteorological Department and Thai Meteorological Department).
h.    Relaying observational data from GTS to Digital Atmosphere and Satellite system.

Functions of Climate Information Management Section (CIMS)

a.    Climate data processing, quality control, analysis and archival.
b.    Provide climatological data to end users.
c.    Generate sector-specific (tailor-made) climate information and products; climate application services based on the climate information and knowledge.
d.    Annual climate monitoring report and data book publication.
e.    Formulation, issuance and dissemination of seasonal forecasts based on the forecast information from RAS.
f.    Develop and provide agro-meteorological services. 
g.    Issue extended range forecasts based on forecast information from WFS.
h.    Prepare and provide climate normal, indices, climate events, trends, anomalies, extreme analysis and their occurrence/attribution.
i.    Collaborate with the Information and Communication Services Division for development of the customer-based products and services

Functions of Agro-met Unit

a.    Develop and provide agro-meteorological services. 
b.    Provide seasonal prediction; extended range forecasts, stress indices on drought, etc.
c.    Collaborate with agriculture and other related sectors for development of agrometeorological products and services;
d.    Develop Agrometeorological Decision Support System (DSS);
e.    Education and awareness on use of agromet data, information and products

Functions of Climate Research & Analysis Services Section (CRASS)

a.    Climate modelling, downscaling and develop climate change projections.
b.    Promote and conduct research in weather, climate variability and climate change.
c.    Develop, validate and issue seasonal forecasts.
d.    Prepare and provide GIS based climate maps and related services.
e.    Integrate remote sensing data in agro-met advisory and climate change studies.
f.    Integrate GIS applications into weather and climate studies.
g.    Represent the division and participate in the Research and Development activities in the field of weather, climate and climate change studies at national, regional and international levels.
h.    Coordinate National Climate Outlook Forums (NCOF), National Framework for Climate Services and WMO Climate Climate Services activities.

Functions of Aviation Met Section (AMS)

a.    Operate the Aviation Met Station network 
b.    Collect and maintain the records of meteorological observations of aerodromes in all airports.
c.    Collect weather information in a form of MET REPORT/SPECIAL REPORT at half hourly intervals.
d.    Prepare and provide meteorological information (METAR/SPECI) at half hourly intervals to the pilots, flight dispatchers, ATC etc.
e.    Dissemination of meteorological information (METAR/SPECI) to the originating aerodromes, Airlines, ATC and domestic airports through Automatic Message Handling System (AMHS).
f.    Monitoring of aerodrome weather conditions and reporting to ATC for updating the pilots for landing and take-off.
g.    Monitoring and operation of the aviation met infrastructure in respective airports for safe operation of flights as per Bhutan Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA) and ICAO norms.
h.    Coordination with Air Traffic Controllers and Air Traffic Services.
i.    Liaise with ICAO and other international organization through head of agency.